5 Family-Friendly Activities in Gulf Shores

Planning a family vacation is exciting. There’s a lot of pressure to get it just right. You want to be able to leave the stress of day-to-day life behind, and finding a destination that everyone can enjoy is crucial.

Alabama’s Gulf Shores offers family-friendly activities to please the entire family. Even if your vacation is multi-generational and includes small children, this destination earns its place on your getaway bucket list.

Here are five of the many things you can do when visiting Alabama’s Gulf Shores that will please the entire family:

1. Gulf Shores Beaches

Alabama’s shoreline offers 32 miles of white sand beaches. Surrounded by the turquoise waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the powder-soft sand beaches offer the ideal place to build a sand castle, swim, throw a Frisbee or just lounge on the beach. Even for the littlest kiddos, the thrill of splashing on the edge of the ocean is incomparable. The Gulf Shores Public Beach is a great place to see some of what the area has in store for your family.

2. Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Featured on “Animal Planet,” the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo offers an interactive experience like none other. Animal lovers of all ages appreciate the awe-inspiring variety of creatures here. Book your interactive animal encounter in advance, and surprise your tween with a baby kangaroo cuddle session. Make your husband’s dreams come true and arrange some play time with a baby tiger. The possibilities are endless.

3. Waterville USA Theme Park

If your family just can’t get enough of playing in the water, the giant water slide, wave pool and surf simulator will thrill and delight them. Enjoy go-cart racing, an amazing roller coaster and a special area just for the littlest family members. Admission here includes every activity and ride, so feel free to spend the day at this amazing Alabama Shores destination.

4. Gulf State Park Fishing Pier

This is the second largest fishing pier in the Gulf of Mexico, at 200 yards. Enjoy a meal at one of the restaurants, or watch the fishing action from one of the benches along the way. If you’d like to rent fishing equipment, it’s available here as well. Meet the friendly pelican, “Sam,” who is dedicated to the local fishermen and the scraps they throw him.

5. Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge

Stroll the wooden boardwalk for a bird’s eye view of this 7,000-acre nature preserve. Armadillos, foxes, coyotes, herons and ospreys all call this amazing refuge home. You’ll see a wonderful representation of the wildlife and foliage native to this area. Bon Secour means “safe harbor,” and the feeling here is peaceful and serene. You’ll want to spend an entire lazy afternoon here just exploring.

There’s nothing quite like a relaxing vacation in one of the most diverse and culturally rich areas of the United States. Your family may want to make their Alabama Gulf Shores vacation an annual event.

Whether your family prefers to stay in cozy comfort or spread out with plenty of room to spare, your perfect Gulf Shores beachfront rental awaits. After a full day of adventure seeking, you’ll love coming back to a welcoming place to relax and recharge. Enjoy everything this rich and diverse area has to offer during an Alabama shores family vacation you’ll talk about for years to come.